It’s Lent AND the Year of Mercy–an ideal time to go to Confession, and many parishes are offering extended times for confession between now and Easter! Are you apprehensive about going to confession (Sacrament of Reconciliation)? Don’t be. Confession apps are ready to help make your experience in the confessional box less awkward and more transformative. Lent is a particularly important time to go to confession as the sacrament prepares us for Easter celebrations and the reception of Holy Eucharist (which Catholics must do during the Easter season). It really is a most transformative and grace-filled adventure to go through the process of a good confession and enjoy the rich mercy promised by Our Lord. Our recommended confession apps are designed to help you every step of the way.
Because the sacrament requires a good effort at an examination of conscience, the apps we selected for your consideration offer a variety of creative means of exploring yourself, your relationship with God and the various ways we rupture that from time to time. First, a word of caution:
Apps of this nature are NOT meant to be a substitute for sacramental confession with a priest.
Not convinced about the importance of this sacrament? Have questions about it? Forgot how to go to confession? Check out the list of resources linked below our app recommendations. Finally, yes, you can bring your mobile device into the confessional if it will help you to make a good confession. Go for it.
Feel secure knowing no data is stored to the phone hard drive or to the internet. The really cool part? After confession, you get the satisfaction of being able to hit the “Erase My Sins” button and watch your check marked sins removed from the temporary cache in the phone or tablet–a technological symbol of what just happened to your soul! Users seem to enjoy that particular feature of this app. Catechism and scripture references are included. Here’s a video of the many features contained in this app.
Screenshot showing a partial listing of Confession app’s examination of conscience for the 7th commandment. This gives you an idea of types of questions you should ponder.
A systematic aid to assist you in making a good confession, Confession is one of the top Catholic apps downloaded on iTunes and has even received a U.S. Bishop’s imprimatur. This app has been a finalist in Readers’ Choice Award for best Catholic app and a finalist in the Catholic New Media awards for best Catholic app. Confession walks you through the sacrament with a fairly detailed examination of conscience based on the 10 Commandments. Tap a number next to each sin listed. From this selection process, a script (for lack of a better description) is offered which you may take into the confessional to read from–easy to do as your device is backlit. Everything in your script is in order, so you are assured that nothing important is missing and you don’t have to worry about memorizing prayers. Once you scroll through the script, all your listed sins are automatically wiped away (just as they are on your soul through this sacrament!) As an added assurance, the app is password protected to help maintain your privacy. It is regrettable that the listed sins are not categorized as “mortal” or “venial,” giving the impression that littering and murder are of equal gravity. It is presumed you know, and certainly your confessor will know. Also, white type on a black screen is difficult to read. We presume this is to minimize the light from the backlit screen should you choose to use this in the confessional.
Resources for Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)
Bishop Robert Barron comments on the use of Confession apps (video)
Video on how to go to Confession
Making a Good Confession – detailed instruction
Fr. Z’s Tips for Making a Good Confession – practical advice
Fr. Z offers an objective overview of confession apps in general and Mea Culpa app in particular–which is no longer available.
Why do I have to confess to a priest? (Bishop Robert Barron answers in this video)
Apps to help you find a local Catholic church
Contact a local parish to find out days/times it offers Sacrament of Reconciliation
